The Ev.-Luth. church district Hamburg-West/South Holstein is the smaller of the two church districts in Hamburg. It unites very different worlds of life in its area. Conurbations, large urban settlements, small towns and rural villages are part of the living environment of the people in the church district. The population spectrum in the 55 parishes with a total of 212,000 parishioners is broad, ranging from people on the poverty line to the wealthy middle classes. In this environment the church district of Hamburg-West/South Holstein sees itself as open, tolerant and solidary. Supporting people in their living environment is therefore a major focus in many diaconal and educational institutions.